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January 31, 2017

Yay! It is Sale time! It has been a while since I've offered a big sale... but with Spring inventory headed this way (launching at my Spring Workshops in March), it is the perfect time to give you all a deal on what we have left... so we don't have to deal with it anymore : )

I love offering a sale this time of year, because we still have plenty of Valentine's offering available, and lots of essentials in stock, too. Stock up on Wood Block Linens, Candles, Entertaining Essentials and Botanical Prints. While getting organized and cleaning up the inventory, we found some things we didn't even know we had (like some throws and pillows!), so be sure to check for things that have been out of stock.

January 30, 2017

We just got back from a fun-filled week in Disney World! We had the best time with perfect weather and lots of Disney magic everywhere. This is us after Day 2 (and walking about 10 miles) - Emma princess dress clad, eating a chocolate dipped Mickey Bar.

Someday I'll get around to sharing our agenda - we loved our hotel and schedule. We stayed at the Beach Club Resort, which allowed us to walk directly to "Paris" at Epcot for fresh croissants and coffee every morning. I mean, I do realize there is a huge difference between actually being in Paris vs. the Disney version... but, the Disney version was pretty charming and a good perk of a kid focused vacation.

Of course, I was hit with a crazy sinus infection the moment we landed at home. The perfect cure for a Disney hangover and sinus infection is comfort food, so here we go : )

It doesn't get more comforting than this. Besides the crust, this is a very healthy and filling dinner. We have some busy nights later this week, so I will make extra for the freezer for Mike and Emma to get out. Making the biscuits with my Heart Cutters (set of 3, $6) would make this so cute for a cozy valentine's dinner.

Emma loves French Onion Soup. We have a video of her slurping it up when she was 2... asking if she can put it in her cup. I love that this is a super quick and comforting dinner. Mike has a meeting, so this will be the perfect dinner for two with leftovers going in the freezer for Beef Drip Sandwiches some day.

January 24, 2017

How cute are these mini heart scones? I typically make my scones in a triangle (cut wedges from a rolled circle of dough), so the heart feels like a natural shape for a scone, with just a little bit of a Valentine's flair. I packaged them using :

The Liberty Floral products will be back in stock on Wednesday morning. They are coming in today (Tuesday) and we'll have them in the store ready to sell on Wednesday morning. Find them in the Valentines Colleciton.

I think this is such a cute gift for a friend, co-worker, teacher, neighbor, mom, grandma or helper for Valentine's Day... and those of us who don't love a box of candy : )

You all know that scones are my favorite. We typically go for Cranberry Orange Scones. Or Vanilla Bean. Or even Maple Pecan. But, when you've been rotating the same few recipes every weekend for 5 years... you start thinking of new combinations. Dried Cherries seemed perfect for Valentines. They are not too sweet (only a tiny bit of sugar in the dough) and the cherries provide a little tartness. The dough is tender, and dense, and light all at the same time. And buttery. So buttery.

Sometimes with the recipes I mentioned above, I fee like I'm eating a sophisticated donut, but this version feels more like a classic scone - very simple and great with a cup of tea or coffee.

In a mixer, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt using the paddle attachment. Cut the cold butter into 1/2 inch pieces. Add the butter to the dry ingredients and mix on low until the butter is mixed in and is the size of peas. In a separate bowl, mix together eggs and whipping cream with a fork. Turn the mixer on low and slowly add the cream and egg mixture. Turn off the mixer once added. Fold in cherries.

Put some flour on the counter. Turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Add some flour onto the top of the dough, then pat it out into a disk - about 12 inches in diameter. Cut the disk into hearts using heart cutters.

Separate the pieces and put them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, until golden and cooked through.

Make glaze by adding a tiny amount of milk or water to powdered sugar. Stir and add little drops of water until easy drizzling consistancy

January 22, 2017

Good morning : ) I'm taking you on a little photo tour of our home this morning. The last time we did this it was covered with fresh greens and twinkling lights. While there seems less to show this time around, less is feeling like more these days. After the holidays, I'm always ready to simplify, clean out and freshen up.

I've become a Trader Joe's shopper. I don't know what has taken me so long. I still prefer our local market that we go to when I pick Emma up from school. When I have some grocery time by myself, I've been making an effort to run to Trader Joe's.

I found this Jasmine plant to TJs for $8. I can't wait for it to perfume our home when it blooms.

The pale pink violet it still hanging on... I'm really not very good at tropicals : )

The new Botanical Prints ($5-8) lightened up the space instantly. I LOVE these new prints. The frame is the 11x14, with 8x10 prints.

These Bashful Pink Velvet Pillows are so lovely. The softness and sweetness is so welcome from the rich, bold colors of the holidays. Just this little touch of light pink velvet make me re-fall in love with this room again.

January 21, 2017

This idea originally stemmed from the classic Linzer Cookie that is a nutty shortbread sandwich cookie filled with raspberry jam. I decided shortbread + strawberry jam would a great combo for this Valentine's Day treat. If you are a novice cookie decorator, this is a perfect project for you since it is just one solid color, and mostly jam. You can see I even did some with powdered sugar sprinkled over instead of icing - even easier!

Of course the packaging of these cookies is my favorite part. Here is a list of supplies used :

I used my favorite basic shortbread recipe. It is so simple to stir together and takes no time at all. Unlike my soft sugar cookie recipe, shortbread cookies are a bit sandy and crumbly. The keep their shape perfectly when they bake because there is no egg, baking soda or baking powder. I made it during the day, put in the refrigerator then rolled them out with Emma after school. Keeps for weeks in the refrigerator!

For the sandwiches, you'll need solid hearts for the bottom and a heart with small cutout heart for the top.

Cream together butter and sugar in a mixer until pale. Add vanilla and mix in. Add flour and salt together and stir together slowly just until combined. Turn dough out onto plastic wrap, wrap it tightly and keep it in the refrigerator for 30+ minutes, up to 2 weeks.

Roll out on a floured surface. Cut out with cutters.

Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet (keeps from sticking without spray + easy clean up!) in 350 degree for 12-14 minutes, just until edges start to brown. Cookies should be firm.

Let cool, then ice with a simple butter icing... we tinted ours a very pale pink to contrast with the deep strawberry jam.

Melt butter and milk together in the microwave. Stir in confectioners sugar. Add more milk to thin, or more confectioners sugar to thicken.

I heated the jam in the microwave for about 15 seconds to make it more melty - then it sort of molds to the inside of the cookie and sets up.

Use a little pink icing like glue to stick the top heart to the bottom heart. Then, fill with Strawberry Jam.

If you run out of icing patience, sprinkle some tops with powdered sugar : )

These are perfect for adults with less of a sweet tooth - nice with tea or coffee... or breakfast : )

Last year, I made these with the Copper Cutters. They are very expensive, so this year, I'm offering a set of three inexpensive cutters that can be used in the same way! Yay for fun, inexpensive hearts... not everything has to be expensive to be great : )